I often start my conversations with children by asking, "What does 'real' mean to you?" As a human, I seek an immediate connection; as an educator, I aim to assess their ability to convey an authentic answer. Over the years, I've probably asked that question countless times. Each answer is unique, prompting me to continually enhance Imagiread's programming.

As the owner of Imagiread, I'm always questioning—about our community and how access is crucial for engagement. Having designed programs for all ages, I know access and capability are key factors for success. Without access, even the best resources remain out of reach, perpetuating subpar standards that normalize illiteracy, especially in lower socioeconomic contexts.

The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) presents new challenges. Beyond the need for media literacy training, a significant digital divide persists. While there's improved access to online educational content, maintaining a sense of community continuity is crucial. How can we meet these challenges in a rapidly changing virtual world? By identifying and supporting underserved groups, selecting sustainable resources, and creating accessible pathways that don't rely on specific hardware.

"Students spent more time reading after educators added diverse books to their classroom libraries." 

~ First Book

First Book, a longtime partner of Imagiread, has conducted research emphasizing the importance of diverse books in enriching education. This underscores our belief that access to quality, age-appropriate resources are essential for empowering learners and fostering academic excellence.

To bridge this gap, First Book offers unlimited e-books through Open eBooks —a free library of thousands of titles for grades K-12, accessible via an app on Google Play Store and the App Store for iOS. Imagiread is pleased to provide free access codes for our community. Families can access and explore these resources together by signing up and entering our special code on Open eBooks.

Read our letter (available in both English and Spanish) for detailed instructions on account creation and accessing the library of titles.

Happy Imagireading!